Saddened because they have left one of their number in a grave in the wilderness, Harold and his band of outcasts continue their journey toward the dreaded underground palace of Hrad Spein. But before they can reach their goal, they must overcome all manner of obstacles, fight many battles...and evade the frightful enemies on their trail.Once they have breached Hrad Spein, a task entire armies of warriors and wizards have failed to achieve, Harold must venture, alone, into the secret heart of the most dangerous place in his world.

Shadow Blizzard: The Chronicles of Siala, Book 3

After the loss of friends and comrades, after betrayal and battle, master thief Shadow Harold finally enters Hrad Spein the dreaded underground complex where the object of Harold’s quest, the Rainbow Horn, is hidden. With nothing more than his wits, the advice of a goblin shaman, and a stolen map, he must succeed where battalions of soldiers and wizards have failed. Before the master thief are many dangerous obstacles including ghouls, long-dead armies of elves, orcs, and magical traps...

Shadow Prowler

An army is gathering; thousands of giants, ogres, and other creatures are joining forces from all across the Desolate Lands, united, for the first time in history, under one, black banner. By the spring, or perhaps sooner, the Nameless One and his forces will be at the walls of the great city of Avendoom.

Chasers of the Wind

Recipient of Best Fantasy of the Year in Russia, The Cycle of Wind and Sparks is a spin-off from the international best-selling series The Chronicles of Siala. Set in 15th-century Europe, this new series is reminiscent of George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire and Robert Jordan' s The Wheel of Time, featuring heroes, zombies, wizards, and knights who battle over the fate of the world.

The Price of Valor: The Shadow Campaigns, Book 3

In the wake of the king's death, war has come to Vordan. The deputies-general have precarious control of the city, but it is led by a zealot who sees traitors in every shadow. Executions have become a grim public spectacle. The new queen, Raesinia Orboan, finds herself nearly powerless as the government tightens its grip and assassins threaten her life. But she did not help free the country from one sort of tyranny to see it fall into another. Placing her trust with steadfast soldier, Marcus D'Ivoire, she sets out to turn the tide of history.

Descent into Darkness, Book 2

Ean Sangrave's friends are gone. At least, his human ones are. Zin, as always, is by his side. Years of advice and getting Ean out of trouble has earned him the title of Ean's closest friend. Joining them now is Azalea the Yulari, another creature from the Abyss that feeds off the emotions of her victims to the point of death. Summoned in a moment of jealousy, Azalea would have killed Ean's friends if he had not stopped her in time.

Trial of Intentions: Vault of Heaven, Book 2

The gods who created this world have abandoned it. In their mercy, however, they chained the rogue god - and the monstrous creatures he created to plague mortalkind - in the vast and inhospitable wasteland of the Bourne. The magical Veil that contains them has protected humankind for millennia, and the monsters are little more than tales told to frighten children. But the Veil has become weak and creatures of Nightmare have come through. To fight them, the races of men must form a great alliance to try and stop the creatures. But there is dissent.

Ghosts in the Yew: Vesteal, Book 1

Ghosts in the Yew is the story of four people who are banished beyond the edge of the map, to a land of gnarled forests, ancient magic, and the site of a terrible murder. Their struggles to survive will put them at odds with their families, their nation, and the very powers that shaped the world.

The Unremembered: Author's Definitive Edition

In a debut that is sure to attract enormous attention, the first novel of The Vault of Heaven takes us to a world of wonders and terrors, where an ancient evil threatens to break out of the bounds that have contained it for generations. When the gods created the world, one created monstrous creatures so powerful that he was doomed to live for eternity in the proscribed Bourne where his most odious creations were to be held, kept from the rest of the world by a magical veil that they could not breach.

Sword of the North: The Grim Company

As Davarus Cole and his former companions were quick to discover, the White Lady' s victorious liberation of Dorminia has not resulted in the freedom they once imagined. Anyone perceived as a threat has been seized and imprisoned - or exiled to darker regions - leaving the White Lady's rule unchallenged and absolute.

Zephyr the West Wind: A Tale of the Passion & Adventure Within Us All: Chaos Chronicles: Book, 1

Born into a village filled with hateful people, Zephyr grew up not knowing why he was so hated. With no friends and eventually no family, after the passing of his mother, Zephyr was forced to survive by himself as an outcast. Zephyr's only wish was to make his mother proud and force the village to recognize him - while surviving in a world filled with demons, paranormal abilities, love, hate, and undiscovered lands.

The Crippled God: Malazan Book of the Fallen Series, Book 10

Savaged by the K'Chain Nah'Ruk, the Bonehunters march for Kolanse, where waits an unknown fate. Tormented by questions, the army totters on the edge of mutiny, but Adjunct Tavore will not relent. One final act remains, if it is in her power, if she can hold her army together, if the shaky allegiances she has forged can survive all that is to come. A woman with no gifts of magic, deemed plain, unprepossessing, displaying nothing to instill loyalty or confidence, Tavore Paran of House Paran means to challenge the gods - if her own troops don't kill her first.

The Cycle of Arawn: The Complete Trilogy

The White Tree (book one): In Mallon the dark magic of the nether has been banned for centuries. Its users have been driven out or killed. Its secrets lost. But the holy book of the nethermancers has just been found by a boy named Dante. As he works to unlock the book's power, he's attacked in the street. The nethermancers aren't gone—and they want their book back. Caught between death cultists and the law, Dante fights for his life, aided by his growing skills and a brash bodyguard named Blays.

War of Shadows

Blaine "Mick" McFadden managed to restore Donderath's magic partially, but not without a cost. He and the magic are now bound together, and the power remains dangerous and erratic - draining the life from him with every use. New threats are rising from the wreckage of the battered kingdoms, and warlords both mortal and undead vie for control.

Queen of Fire: A Raven's Shadow Novel, Book 3

After fighting back from the brink of death, Queen Lyrna is determined to repel the invading Volarian army and regain the independence of the Unified Realm. Except to accomplish her goals, she must do more than rally her loyal supporters. She must align herself with forces she once found repugnant - those who possess the strange and varied gifts of the Dark - and take the war to her enemy's doorstep. Victory rests on the shoulders of Vaelin Al Sorna, now named battle lord of the realm. However, his path is riddled with difficulties.

King of Souls: Echoes Across Time, Book 2

A new king reigns atop the Meranthian throne. King Ronan Latimer finds victory comes with a cost. With magic's full restoration, barriers that have kept Meranthia safe for two millennia collapse leaving its borders exposed. A powerful necromancer, Tara, leads a long lost race across the sea to Meranthia's shores. Shores that she last saw two-thousand years in the past.

The Skull Throne

The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty. Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honor and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all. But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honor refuse.

Duty: The Trysmoon Saga, Book 2

The demon's attack at the betrothal spreads fear and doubt throughout the nations of Ki'hal. But Gen's courage and sacrifice make him a legend and an inspiration to the people. As the long, dangerous trip to Elde Luri Mora approaches, the Chalaine must battle her misgivings about the Ha'Ulrich and lean on her faithful Protector for the strength to do what she must to save the world.

The Assassins of Altis: The Pillars of Reality, Book 3

Trapped within the dead city of Marandur, Master Mechanic Mari and Mage Alain must escape both merciless barbarians and the pitiless Imperial Legion. Beyond those dangers lie the mightiest and most unforgiving powers in the world of Dematr: the Great Guilds that rule the world with iron fists.

The Liar's Key

After harrowing adventure and near-death, Prince Jalan Kendeth and the Viking Snorri ver Snagason find themselves in possession of Loki's Key, an artefact capable of opening any door and sought by the most dangerous beings in the Broken Empire - including The Dead King. Jal wants only to return home to his wine, women, and song, but Snorri has his own purpose for the key: to find the very door into death, throw it wide, and bring his family back into the land of the living.

Whill of Agora: Whill of Agora, Book 1

It is the year 5170 in the land Agora, where humans, dwarves, and elves have existed in peace for centuries. Now, however, the human King Addakon has invaded and waged war on neighboring Isladon. The once peaceful Kingdoms of Agora are on the brink of continental war. The Dark Elf Eadon, and his army of Dragon-Elf crossbreeds, the Draggard, threaten to conquer all kingdoms. Enter young Whill, a 19-year-old ranger with battle savvy and untapped abilities.

Hunt of the Bandham: The Bowl of Souls, Book 3

Ewzad Vriil's keep has fallen and Justan has been reunited with his friends. Justan's bonds with Fist and Gwyrtha have made him stronger and faster, but the more he learns about his powers, the more questions he has. Meanwhile, the kingdom remains in turmoil. The mother of the moonrats still builds the Dark Prophet's army of monsters in the mountains, and the Battle Academy forces are weakened.

The Providence of Fire

Having learned the identity of her father's assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Bloodmines: The Blue Dragon's Geas, Book 3

Alador discovers that there is more to his geas and the bloodstone than he had ever imagined. As its true nature is revealed, he alone must figure out how to complete the geas. His first task is to obtain the support of the one dragon that he and Henrick know how to find. But - how does one garner support from a dragon you have previously shot?

Publisher's Summary

Saddened because they have left one of their number in a grave in the wilderness, Harold and his band of outcasts continue their journey toward the dreaded underground palace of Hrad Spein. But before they can reach their goal, they must overcome all manner of obstacles, fight many battles...and evade the frightful enemies on their trail.Once they have breached Hrad Spein, a task entire armies of warriors and wizards have failed to achieve, Harold must venture, alone, into the secret heart of the most dangerous place in his world. There he will fight legions of untold mysterious powers before he can complete the quest for the magic horn that will save his beloved land from The Nameless One.

First published in Russia, Alexey Pehov’s Chronicles of Siala has rapidly become an international phenomenon. Shadow Prowler, the first book in the series, became one of Russia’s biggest, most successful debuts and has won a number of international awards. Today, The Chronicles of Siala are the most popular fantasy books in Russia.

Gripping and haunting, fascinating and imaginative, Shadow Chaser is a novel of intricate plots, surprising twists, and finely drawn characters that will not leave you when the book is put down.

An entirely derivative fantasy world in which the only surprising feature is that orcs and elves have a great deal in common. A sad dearth of literary sparkle and a plodding vocabulary which operates at about an eighth grade level (though that may be the fault of the translation). A plot which never enthralls or shocks except with its readiness to sacrifice characters we have come to know and perhaps care about.

So why did I enjoy this book so much and why am I going to use another credit immediately for the final book in the series? I feel a little like Sancho Panza opining about La Mancha, "Though I can't tell you why,... I like him." But that is not very helpful, is it.

Well, I suspect a major reason I so enjoyed Shadow Chaser IS that I like him--the Shadow Chaser himself, that is. He is somewhat bumbling and often confused and I can relate to that. Thieves like Locke Lamora who are usually a step or two ahead of the reader and the opposition can be tremendous fun, but every once in a while it is nice to come across a hero who shares our common cluelessness much of the time.

But the real magic in this book resides in an unlikely member of the questing party--a little green goblin who, brilliantly voiced by MacLeod Andrews, is by turns comic and sweet and masterful and mysterious. And all while avoiding "cute." I think I have never had more plain fun listening to a character in a fantasy novel.

I also liked the straight ahead nature of the narrative. There is not a lot of tortured introspection here. Instead, character rises clearly and engagingly from the action, and it was nice to read a story which did not digress into an anguished interior monologue.

So I strongly recommend this book with the caveats stated above. If nothing else, you need to meet the goblin. And sometimes it's nice to go back to plain old gnomes, dwarves, orcs and goblins, right? Right.

This book, as well as the first book in the series, "Shadow Prowler" are absolutely awesome. The only reason not to buy them right now is having to wait for Book 3 to be released. I don't know if the printed version of the final book is available but I will have to find it if audible doesn't publish the audio version soon. This book will not disappoint. Just be sure to listen to book 1 first.

I have recommended this audiobook to friends because it is really enjoyable and the main character is not some pompous jerk he has flaws and the author brings them out and puts them on display. Not your average bad guy to hero story.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the comic relief in the story and also how the charcter isn't the end all when it comes to solving problems. He just seems to be the quickest witted.

Which scene was your favorite?

Without giving away too much, the scene where he realizes that a promise he was given wasn't carried out and his reaction even though it saves his life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Unexpected adventure.

Any additional comments?

I liked this book and the first book in the series even though I usually don't like first person accounts. It is really a lot of fun.

I was thrilled when I saw that book 2 of the Chronicles of Siala was out, having thoroughly enjoyed the first book, and particularly the outstanding narrator. I'd have to give this one a rating of around 3.7-3.8, so I rounded it to a 4 out of 5. I didn't find the story as engaging as the first, and found the pace unusual at times. Sometimes there would be great and lengthy detail about the smallest of matters that really weren't central to the story, then in other parts more important events worthy of more epic treatment seemed to be rushed. It was good to learn more about the wider range of characters, but possibly at the cost of becoming more engrossed in and attached to the main characters. The one shining star, as in the first audiobook, was narrator MacLeod Andrews. I've stopped listening to some audiobooks I was very interested in after coming across annoying or sub-par narrators. This is the opposite. Andrews is so engaging and excellent with a broad range of voices and dialects that I'm now seeking out other books he's narrated. His goblin jester voice is undoubtedly among my all-time favorites. Now it's time to wait for the next book in the series, with high hopes that Andrews is already booked (pun intended) for it!

This is a familiar story of a group of heroes that go on a quest to acquire an artifact that the King needs to save their society. It takes place in a world teeming with all types of fantasy wonders and horrors. The group is opposed by the forces of nature and it's creatures, the Orcs, known as the first born, who dislike all other races in this world, and the forces of the "nameless one", whom the artifact will be used against. The action and adventure in this book is constant and the heroes move from one dangerous situations to another.

Note that this tale has been broken into three separate novels, my comments apply to all three of them as one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, Harold, is my favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are so many terrific scenes in this tale that it is hard to choose one. Perhaps the scene where Harold manages to convince a Demon (who might not kill him if he provides a certain artifact), the Goat men (who have been trying to kill him because they think he has this artifact), members of the thieves guild (who actually have the artifact, but are framing Harold), and the guild of Wizards together to meet in a tavern. He manipulates each group using their specific weaknesses with tales that they cannot pass up. The upshot of this meeting is that many of the issues chasing Harold all are resolved.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is full of excellent scenes that are sometimes funny, or exciting, and even some that are heart breaking. The author a masterful, creates rich believable characters that one grows to love and admire.

Any additional comments?

I have read and listened to a lot of Fantasy and SF novels in my years. Many have been very good some outstanding, but very few do I consider great works of fantasy. I consider the Chronicles of Siala novel three of the best I have every enjoyed. This will go on my top list and I will defiantly listen to or read it once again.

Leave something to the imagination. Everything is explained, then really explained, then revisited with an explanation. We got it. Move on.

Has Shadow Chaser turned you off from other books in this genre?

Bickering. The characters get into squabbles, where one character is just the straight-man, saying things like, "what do you mean?" when one knows perfectly well what the character meant, just as a set-up for the next (too long) line of dialogue.

No one speaks without the reader being told how he said it. IE: morosely, hurtfully, with a nod, arrogantly, discontentedly, etc etc etc

Arguments among the characters happen despite whatever else might be going on, as if the author enjoys the banter more than the plot. It wouldn't be so bad if it was entertaining. It's not.

Too much sarcasm without art. For example, a spell that is fired at the heroes and blows up a tree is explained (to the reader) as "something unpleasant." Groan.

What aspect of MacLeod Andrews’s performance would you have changed?

Sometimes, it's like he's a 14-year-old girl reading with as much venom as he can, and it's very overdone. The man has a talent for voices, but not inflection.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I remember enjoying the first book, but I seriously remember it as spooky and exciting. This was a bunch of guys bickering like 9th graders in homeroom punctuated by action scenes that had no emotional investment. There is a really great scene where the hero sneaks through a prison, which had much of the flavor of the first book, then we're back to the fake-sounding dialogue.

Any additional comments?

Pehov does a great job of walking the reader through a solo adventure, but the adding of the other characters just makes the book boring, wordy, and slow. Every moment is stretched and everything is debated. I've only made it through the first half, and the last hour was spent on 2X speed to get through it. This is the first time I've ever done that. I dread getting through the second half, and I really hope it's more of what Pehov does well rather than the dialogue he does very, very poorly.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.